If you are looking to buy a Weber grill for the first time, you’re likely to get sticker shocked. Weber grills are anything but cheap, often a few hundred dollars more than most grills on the market. So, why are they so expensive?
Weber grills are primarily expensive because of their well-engineered designs. Weber spends time and effort to ensure all the features in their grills are functional and not just cosmetic. Their ease of repair, long warranties, and durable materials also contribute to the high prices.
This article looks at Weber grills and why they are so expensive. Keep reading to find out if an expensive Weber grill is a worthy investment.
About Weber Grills
Weber is arguably the most popular barbecue company in the world. Even with competitors making some solid products, Weber still seems to be at its peak.
Inspired by his passion for grilling the best steaks for his friends and family, Weber’s founder, George Stephen, invented the kettle grill in 1952. At the time, George was working at his family’s metal works company in Chicago and was influenced by a buoy’s shape when he made the grill.
George understood that a round bowl with a lid would be successful, so he cut the buoy in half and added three legs for support. He also added a handle on the lid for easier opening and closing.
This now-legendary grill saw commercial success and ended up in almost every American home. Weber Grill is now recognized for innovation and making high-quality products.
Why Weber Grills Are So Expensive
Weber grills can be pretty expensive, sometimes upwards of $3000! For comparison, you can get a generic barbecue grill for $150 or less. So, what sets Weber apart from the competition to justify such price tags?
1. Well Engineered Designs
Weber grills popularized the term “backyard grill” when they made their kettle grill in the 50s. Since then, the company has continued creating innovative designs for their grills, keeping them in grilling enthusiasts’ good books.
While most modern grills are crowned with tech features and fancy lights, Weber keeps it classic. All their grills are beautifully designed but don’t have a single unnecessary feature.
Weber invests in R&D and constantly releases new models with better heat distribution, air circulation, and a more durable exterior. As a result, every upgrade is well thought out and contributes to the grill’s practicality.
2. Long-Lasting Materials
Weber is always observing the market to produce grills with the best materials. The grills are made from high-quality cast iron porcelain-coated steel and stainless steel. These materials help you control the temperature and prevent flare-ups.
Weber also uses fasteners instead of Welds when making the grill’s surface. While this is more expensive and time-consuming, it makes the grills more durable and rust-proof.
3. Easy Repair and Replacement Parts Availability
All is well with a grill until it breaks down, and you have to get it repaired. Since Weber is the most popular grill brand, finding new parts is pretty easy. The company keeps restocking parts for up to 10 years after the model has been discontinued.
You can find commonly used parts on Weber’s website, sites like Amazon, or used in your locality. If you need a unique part that you can’t find in those places, you can contact Weber and find out if they have it somewhere in storage (and they probably do.)
Since Weber grills are so durable, most owners only buy new parts for the cosmetic. A 15-year-old grill can look surprisingly nicer after replacing just a few parts.
Weber also has numerous service centers countrywide so that you don’t have to ship your grill for repairs.
4. Wide Range of Products
Weber has a long line of grills, each with a target set of customers. For instance, the popular “Go Anywhere” grill series is perfect for picnics and camping, thanks to the small barbecue area. You can also purchase the Q series grills if you want a small, portable grill for your backyard.
On the other hand, if you need something bigger and with more features, you can go for the “Genesis ii” series grills, with up to six burners. They have a wide range of features and offer a premium barbecue experience.
5. Long Warranties
One of the most important things you should consider when buying a grill is the warranty. Weber grills are not just premium products, but they also offer premium warranties too.
When you buy a Weber grill, the company gives you a 10-year warranty on the individual components. While most Weber grills have been found to outlive their warranties, sometimes by a decade, it’s a nice assurance to have.
6. Great Customer Support
Weber has excellent customer support. According to online reviews, they are reliable and address their customers’ issues. They are prompt, polite, and ready to help.
Best Place to Buy a Weber Grill
So, if you’re looking for an original Weber grill product in the US, here are a few places you should be looking.
Home Depot Weber Grill
Home Depot has a wide range of Weber grills spanning charcoal, gas, and electric grills. Pricing starts at $400 and goes up to $4000.
Costco Weber Grill
Costco is known for having many products at bargain prices, including Weber grills. You can purchase Weber charcoal grills for as low as $299 or go for the Weber Genesis ii 3 burner gas grill at $1169.99.
Lowe’s Weber Grills
Lowe’s offers 174 varieties of Weber grills ranging from charcoal and propane gas to natural gas grills. You can buy the original charcoal weber Kettle grill for less than $151 or go big with the Summit Black 6 burner, which costs $4399.
Walmart Weber Grill
Walmart has everything! So you can be sure to find a Weber grill there. There’s a wide variety of options and prices, with the Weber Jumbo Joe 22″ Premium Charcoal Grill priced at $45.
There are many other sub-$100 options, but that doesn’t mean the “big boys” aren’t available. The Weber Genesis ii 3 burner gas grill costs $1049.99.
Ace Hardware Weber Grills
Ace hardware also has a decent collection of Weber grills, including wood pellet grills, gas grills, portable grills, and charcoal grills. Prices start at $119 for the original kettle grill and go as high as $1319 for the Weber Genesis.
Amazon Weber Grills
Amazon has a wide collection of weber grills and parts. They probably have every grill on Weber’s website. These grills come at different prices depending on vendors. Sometimes there are also discounts and free shipping.
Are Weber Grills Worth It?
Weber grills are definitely worth it if you can afford them. They’re built to last, functional and practical. Although they’re expensive, they make up for it in longevity and quality.
Weber Grills’ Alternatives
Here are a few of Weber grills’ competitors and their pricing.
Napoleon Grills
pricing: $150 to $2000
Napoleon grills are Weber’s closest competitors. They are both household names and produce high-quality grills. However, most enthusiasts prefer Weber products.
Hestan Grills
pricing: $4500 to $8000
Hestan Grills specialize in making outdoor grills. Although they’re a relatively new brand (launched in 2016), they’ve made a name for themselves in the industry. However, since they mostly sell expensive outdoor grills, they’re not really comparable to Weber.
Wolf Grills
pricing: $700 to $5000
Wolf is known for making kitchen equipment, including ovens and grills. Their grills are premium and actively compete with Weber’s flagship grills.
Viking Grills
Pricing: up to $6300
Viking makes modern, customizable outdoor grills. Although these grills can be quite pricey, they have received many good reviews from grilling enthusiasts.
Twin Eagles Grills
Pricing: $2,000 to $11,000
Twin Eagles offers a wide variety of high-end grills. They make huge outdoor grills and a few models of premium portable grills. Since they don’t make many low-end products, they don’t compete much with Weber.
DCS Grills
Pricing: up to $15,000
DCS grills are sort of the gold standard of American BBQ. They make high-end grills packed with bells and whistles. These grills mostly end up in restaurants or huge mansions. Although their products are flashy, they’re not too popular with enthusiasts who like to keep things classic.
Is a High-End Grill a Good Investment?
It depends on how much you use it and if you can afford it. If you only BBQ with family around the holidays, $10,000 might be too much to spend on a grill.
However, if you’re grilling every weekend and probably enter competitions, it’s okay to spend as much as you can afford.
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